Hearts 4 - 1 Dunfermline Athletic

Hearts were subjected to the tension of extra-time before squeezing past struggling Dunfermline on a night of high drama.

The Clydesdale Bank Premier League side eventually earned a quarter-final berth thanks to Christophe Berra's close-range header in the 98th minute, and Calum Elliot drove the nail in Dunfermline's coffin with a double before the end of the first period of extra-time.

Stephen Simmons, the former Hearts player, ensured a nervous night for the Edinburgh side when he headed in an equaliser seven minutes from the end of normal time.

Earlier, Christian Nade's first goal for Hearts appeared to have seen off a Dunfermline team whose cup exploits last season took them all the way to the Tennent's Scottish Cup final.

The home side flooded men forward in the early stages and in the sixth minute Laryea Kingston poked a volley wide after good build-up work from Michael Stewart and Elliot.

However, for all Hearts' pressure, it was Dunfermline who came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the half as youngster Nicky Phinn brilliantly chested down a high ball before spearing his left-foot drive inches too high.

A mistake from the visitors gifted Hearts the lead in the 33rd minute. Kestutis Ivaskevicius bombed down the left flank before cutting back for Elliot and when the striker pushed the ball past Calum Woods, the defender's ill-judged tackle left referee Brian Winter with no option but to award a penalty, which Nade despatched with ease.

Dunfermline had been content to hit their hosts on the break but their half-time deficit ensured they would have to push forward after the break.

In the 68th minute, Dunfermline came within a whisker of an equaliser. Stephen Glass found the run of Crawford with a free-kick and Bamba failed by the smallest of margins to connect with the striker's flick.

A set piece at the other end almost brought Hearts a second goal but Elliot could not direct his header on target from Kingston's free-kick.

Moments later, Simmons scored a deserved equaliser with a header from substitute Owen Morrison's corner, which came only seconds after McManus had hit the upright with an exquisite free-kick.

However, Berra's header after Kingston's corner and Elliot's two drives finally ended the contest.

Hearts Banks, Neilson, Berra, Kancelskis, Goncalves, Kingston, Stewart (Palazuelos 29), Ivaskevicius (Ksanavicius 65), Jonsson, Nade (Velicka 77), Elliot. Subs: Kurskis, Zaliukas. Booked Jonsson

Dunfermline Gallacher, Young, Simmons, Bamba, Glass, Williamson (Ryan 62), Woods, Phinn (Owen Morrison 79), McBride (Hamilton 78), Crawford, McManus. Subs: Murdoch, McCulloch.
Booked Simmons, McBride, Woods

Referee B Winter

By MARTIN McMILLAN

Taken from the Herald